The New York Times hails world-renowned mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade as "one of America's finest artists and singers." Her reputation always precedes her, not just as a phenomenal talent, but as a compassionate, approachable human being. Von Stade is an artist in great demand, and so we were fortunate to catch up with her by phone this week. In this half-hour, Jennifer Welch-Babidge of the BYU School of Music, who has shared the Metropolitan Opera Stage with Frederica von Stade, joins with Marcus Smith to co-host this interview on Thinking Aloud.—Original airdate: 1/17/2008